Image Caption:David Cameron has made no secret he wants Boris Johnson on the team

While his appetite for the fray of political argument is as boundless as ever, he is endeavouring to weigh his biggest decision of the year under the radar.

That is whether (and where) to stand for Parliament at the next election.

Video:Joey Jones On Brand Boris

With each safe seat that is liberated, there is a flurry of speculation as to whether Boris might be tempted - the latest plausible option being Uxbridge and South Ruislip where the former deputy Tory whip John Randall is standing down.

There seems to be an assumption in the upper echelons that he will return to Westminster.

But one thing his time in the mayoral office has demonstrated is that it offers a unique platform for that Boris populism that is his forte.

A humdrum government department (should the Conservatives manage to win and David Cameron remain as Prime Minister), might be a less appetising prospect.